Mitt don't need no surges — DES MOINES — If Mitt Romney wins the Iowa caucuses, the race for the Republican nomination is over. — If Mitt Romney comes in second in Iowa, the race for the Republican nomination is over. — And if Mitt Romney comes in third in Iowa, the race for the Republican nomination is over.

Headed for a Photo Finish in Iowa — The Republican caucus in Iowa is headed for a photo finish, with the three leading contenders all within two points of each other. Ron Paul is at 20%, Mitt Romney at 19%, and Rick Santorum at 18%. Rounding out the field are Newt Gingrich at 14% …

For no reason, Santorum ‘singled out blacks’ — Over the weekend, Rick Santorum told an Iowa audience, “Diversity creates conflict. If we celebrate diversity, we create conflict.” It seemed like an odd thing for a presidential candidate to say. — The line does, however …

On eve of Iowa vote, Santorum focusing attacks on Romney — POLK CITY, Iowa — Rick Santorum took several shots at Mitt Romney during his first Monday campaign event here, seeking to neutralize the appeal of the former Massachusetts governor's business background, and implying that he lacks principle.

Iowa Race Tightens in Final 48 Hours — A new Public Policy Polling survey in Iowa, conducted Saturday and Sunday, shows a virtual three-way tie in advance of the Iowa caucuses. Ron Paul has a nominal lead with 20 percent of the vote in the poll, followed by Mitt Romney at 19 percent and Rick Santorum at 18 percent.

Cantor can't handle the truth about Reagan — CBS's “60 Minutes” ran a good profile on House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) last night, but there was one portion of the interview that was especially important. — In this video, it starts at about the 10:19 mark.

Nobody Understands Debt — In 2011, as in 2010, America was in a technical recovery but continued to suffer from disastrously high unemployment. And through most of 2011, as in 2010, almost all the conversation in Washington was about something else: the allegedly urgent issue of reducing the budget deficit.

Americans buy record numbers of guns for Christmas — Americans bought record numbers of guns last month amid an apparent surge in popularity for weapons as Christmas presents. — According to the FBI, over 1.5 million background checks on customers were requested by gun dealers …

After Three Decades, Tax Credit for Ethanol Expires — WASHINGTON — A federal tax credit for ethanol expired on Saturday, ending an era in which the federal government provided more than $20 billion in subsidies for use of the product. — The tax break, created more than 30 years ago, had long seemed untouchable.

The Roots Of Glenn Beck — Mark Lilla doesn't really like Corey Robin's new book on conservatism: … Better though, is his own perspective on the roots of conservatism and its current flight into the apocalyptic and reactionary: … It's interesting that Lilla raises Buckley here.

‘Person of interest’ detained in L.A. arson fires — Los Angeles police this morning detained and are questioning a “person of interest” in the spate of arson fires occurring around the city since Friday. — The individual, believed to be the man seen in a video police released Sunday …

Obscuring a Muslim Name, and an American's Sacrifice — He was buried after the Sept. 11 attacks with full honors from the New York Police Department, and proclaimed a hero by the city's police commissioner. He is cited by name in the Patriot Act as an example of Muslim-American valor.

Iowa officials brace for Occupy protests — Republicans across Iowa are bracing for trouble on Tuesday, concerned that caucus sites will be the next stop for the Occupy protesters who've staged demonstrations and disruptions at election events across the state.

60 Minutes/Vanity Fair Poll: January Edition — Welcome to the 60 Minutes/ Vanity Fair Poll for January 2012. The beginning of a new year can be a wonderful time. We can close out our account with 2011 and start 2012 with a renewed enthusiasm to create fresh goals and ideas for personal improvement.

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